Abiding TV

How He Loves + (Spontaneous Worship) - Peter Mattis | Bethel Music

Prayer in The Holy Spirit by Kenneth E. Hagin

50 MinutesTongues of Fire by Bishop David Oyedepo

Powerful Sermon Of Pastor E.A Adeboye At The RCCG Dominion Sanctuary Glorious Church Dedication Service_ DREAM LIKE MIRACLES.

The Woman Should Let GO of Her Pride & Depend on GOD. GOD hates pride. This message is to the woman who depends not on GOD but on outward adornment, makeup, jewelry, etc, the woman who would do anything to promote and exalt herself.

Atmosphere for Miracles by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? (Hebrews 2:3-4).

Our opening scripture in the King James Version seems to portray the underlined portion as referring to the gifts of the Spirit, but that’s not what it means. The word translated “gifts” above isn’t the Greek word “charisma,” like you have in 1 Corinthians 12; rather, it’s from the Greek word “merismos,” which means “distributions.” The Douay-Rheims translation actually puts it in a better light. It reads, “God also bearing them witness by signs, and wonders, and divers miracles, and distributions of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will.” What does the Scripture mean by “the distributions of the Holy Ghost?”

First, let’s put this in proper perspective: Who were those that performed the signs and wonders, and special miracles? It was the Apostles—the early witnesses that bore testimony to the resurrected Christ! God performed signs, wonders, miracles, and “distributions of the Holy Ghost” through them! Acts 5:12 says, “And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people….”

Who are we today? The Bible says we’re ministers or “servants” of the New Testament; stewards of the mysteries of Christ (1 Corinthians 4:1). We “serve” the New Testament. Imagine coming into a restaurant and being served by a waiter. We’re like that waiter who serves in a restaurant; but the difference is, we serve life! We serve the Spirit, righteousness and the blessings of the New Testament. Hallelujah!

When I pray for God’s people, and say to them, “I bless you in the Name of Jesus; I bless you with the Word; with His presence; and with the Holy Ghost,” I’m distributing the blessings of Christ! This is what He’s called us to do as His ministers and ambassadors in the earth; we’re dispensers of divine blessings. He’s anointed us, and we’re to distribute this grace by the Spirit and change lives everywhere.

PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for the privilege of being a minister of the New Testament, hence a conveyor of eternal verities. I’ll extend your blessings to others through the Spirit, and spread your grace to the ends of the earth, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
Matthew 10:7-8; Romans 1:11; 1 Peter 4:10

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
1 Corinthians 15:35-58 & Proverbs 8-9

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
1 Thessalonians 2:10-20 & Jeremiah 18

Saturday September 1st 2018
Memorise: Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Mark 11:24

Read: Matthew 18:18-20 (KJV)
18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Bible in one year: 
Psalm 100-104,
Matthew 28,

Hymn: 
Sing hymn 18

Message:
The magnitude of the Lord’s blessings under the new covenant is so astounding that we can barely comprehend the full dimensions of it.

It is so great that even angels desire to understand it (1st Peter 1:12). The Holy Spirit described its scope in 1st Corinthians 2:9, saying:
“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”
One of those blessings is that our status has been changed to that of gods. Our Father Himself declared this in Psalm 82:6, saying:
“I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.”

While on earth, Jesus demonstrated this new status that God bestowed on us by walking in authority and power, so much so that people marvelled and were in awe, saying, “What is this”, We never saw it in the fashion” and “We have seen strange things today!” (Mark 1:27 Mark 2:12, Luke 5:26). When the Jews questioned His boldness and audacity, Jesus referred them to God’s word in the same Psalm 82:6 (John 10:34-36). Having showed us what it is to be gods, He has empowered and mandated us to begin to operate as gods on the earth, because as children of the Most High, we share in His power and authority.

Our authority as gods including the power to allow and to forbid things. Mathew 18:18 says:
“Verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Through this power, we are to take charge for our Lord until He returns by enforcing the will of the Father on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). We have the authority to forbid whatever contradicts our Father’s will in our health, family, business, job, community and nation. In Psalm 82:2, the Holy Spirit challenges us, asking:

“How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked?”
He then commands us in Psalm 82:3-4
“Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of wicked.”

This forms part of our mandate as gods. As we evangelise the good news, whatever we forbid in the lives of the oppressed, diseased and afflicted shall be forbidden in Jesus’ Name. Let’s wake up to our responsibilities as gods today.

Action Point
Enforce your Father’s will over everything contrary to His will in your life and community.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional Lessons was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical Churches in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.

I tell you, although he will not get up and supply him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his shameless persistence and insistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

Luke 11:8, The Amplified Bible

If, as God tells us in 1 Timothy 2:4, it’s His will for all men to be saved, why aren’t we seeing more of the masses of lost people born again every day? Have you ever wondered that?

I have...and as I’ve sought the Lord about it, I’ve come to realize that, for the most part, it’s because those of us who are already saved don’t pray persistently for those who aren’t. Instead of persevering—staying before the Father, praying for them to receive the bread of salvation—like the man in Luke 11:8 did for his friend, when we don’t see immediate results, we simply give up and go home.

What we don’t realize is this: Perseverance is the key to success in intercession!

Why? It’s certainly not because you have to change God’s mind. He never changes. His mind’s made up. He wants all men saved. The reason you have to persevere in intercession is to put pressure on the demonic forces that are trying to keep God’s will from being accomplished. Those forces must be broken down through prayer so that strongholds are destroyed and spiritual blinders are removed from the spiritual eyes of the people you’re praying for.

You see, God will not go against the will of any person. But He will move through your intercession to reveal Himself to them. Through your persistent prayers, He will bring them to the knowledge of their need for Him. Then they’ll reach out for Him and spiritual rebirth can take place!

If you’re sitting around waiting on God to save Aunt Mary or Uncle Jim or your best friend...stop sitting around! Get busy interceding for them. Persevere in prayer. Pray the prayer in Ephesians 1:16-23 for them, refusing to give up until they’re safely inside God’s kingdom.

Jesus has already laid down His life so that they can be saved. The question is, will you?

Scripture Reading:
Luke 11:1-10

Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
—Matthew 4:19

Jesus Himself was the first missionary! He did not sit by passively and let those who happened to be interested in His teaching come to Him. He went out where the sick, the sorrowing, and the sad were, and expounded His message of joy, healing, and salvation.

Even at a tender age, He went to the Temple and “taught” the doctors and lawyers who were entrenched in the old traditions. He found His way to the seaside and intruded upon the life of the commonest of laborers, saying, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Wherever He went He challenged, uprooted, and changed men. And at length they nailed Him to a cross because He had upset their selfish, secure, smug way of life. Not only was Jesus a missionary, but He pledged His followers to be missionaries, too!

Listen: Billy Graham preaches on the cost of not following Jesus.

Prayer for the day
Wherever I go, it is a mission field for You, Lord. Help me to be conscious of this, so that I may tell others the joyous message.

“So get rid of your old self, which made you live as you used to — the old self that was being destroyed by its deceitful desires. Your hearts and minds must be made completely new, and you must put on the new self, which is created in God’s likeness and reveals itself in the true life that is upright and holy” (Ephesians 4:22-24 GNT).

Although God could instantly transform us, he has chosen to develop us slowly. Jesus was deliberate in developing his disciples, just as God allowed the Israelites to take over the Promised Land “little by little” so they wouldn’t be overwhelmed (see Deuteronomy 7:22). He prefers to work in incremental steps in our lives.

Why does it take so long to change and grow up? There are several reasons:

· We are slow learners. We often have to relearn a lesson 40 or 50 times to really get it. The problems keep recurring, and we think, “Not again! I’ve already learned that!” But God knows better. The history of Israel illustrates how quickly we forget the lessons God teaches us and how soon we revert to our old patterns of behavior. We need repeated exposure.
· We have a lot to unlearn. Since most of our problems — and all of our bad habits — didn’t develop overnight, it’s unrealistic to expect them go away immediately. There is no pill, prayer, or principle that will instantly undo the damage of many years. It requires the hard work of removal and replacement. The Bible calls it “taking off the old self” and “putting on the new self” (Romans 13:12; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:7-10, 14).
· Growth is often painful and scary. There is no growth without change, there is no change without fear or loss, and there is no loss without pain. Every change involves a loss of some kind. We fear these losses, even if our old ways were self-defeating, because, like a worn-out pair of shoes, they were at least comfortable and familiar.
· Good habits take time to develop. Remember that your character is the sum total of your habits. You can’t claim to be kind unless you are habitually kind. Your habits define your character.

There is only one way to develop the habits of Christlike character: You must practice them — and that takes time! There are no instant habits. Paul urged Timothy, “Practice these things. Devote your life to them so that everyone can see your progress” (1 Timothy 4:15 GW).

Talk It Over

Why do you think God allows us to go through pain and loss while we are growing spiritually?
What is a bad habit that you’ve had trouble changing? How is God helping you with this right now in your life?
What one thing do you need to practice doing every day so that you are developing more Christlike character?

The LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes
(Psalm 118:23, NIV)

TODAY'S WORD:

David had a great attitude of faith in this verse. He was declaring the goodness of God and bragging on His faithfulness! We need to always remember that every blessing in life is from God. That promotion, good break, healing or new opportunity—that was God’s doing. Scripture says that every good and perfect gift comes from the Father above.

There's an old church song that says, “Look What the Lord Has Done.” It's a song that just brags on God. It was a great reminder that all through the day we should be bragging on God’s goodness. We should be remembering His mighty acts. See, when we give God all the glory, that’s when He will pour out His blessings in greater measure. When we are humble and don’t try to take the credit, His grace and favor increases on us.

Today, look for opportunities to brag on God. If you are breathing today, brag on Him as your Creator. If you got to work safely today, brag on Him for being your Protector. If you are facing a difficulty, brag on the fact that He is your Deliverer and breakthrough is on the way! Keep declaring His goodness and faithfulness and watch what God will do on your behalf!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Father God, You alone are worthy of all the praise and glory for the good things in my life! Thank You for blessing me, thank You for the breakthroughs in my past and the breakthroughs in my future. I bless You because You are good, and I choose to brag on You today! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

— Psalm 9:10


In His Word God has given us the tools we need to help us through each new day. He has given us “the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness” (Isaiah 61:3 KJV). So, when you wake up in the morning, decide that no matter what happens, you will not be depressed today.

Put on the garment of praise first thing in the morning. Listen to worshipful music, read the Word, and renew your thoughts to bring them into line with what God says you are—righteous and blessed. You can think right, talk right, and act right all day if you spend time with God before trials come your way.

Prayer Starter: Father, I come to You today for my strength and help. You are my Source for everything, and I thank and praise You for Your goodness. I ask for Your grace to have a great day and honor You in the midst of it. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

John 7:37-39

If you’ve ever lived in a desert or experienced a long-term drought, you understand how essential water is. Without it, plants dry up, crops fail, animals languish with thirst, and before long the ground cracks and dust starts to blow. Sometimes, this is how life feels, too—dry, fruitless, unsatisfying, and futile.

But this should not be the case for believers. Even if the externals of life resemble a drought, inside we have the ever-flowing living water of the Holy Spirit. Of all the word pictures employed in the Bible to depict the Spirit, a river of living water ranks among the most powerful. He is seen as the source of vitality and abundance in our lives. Like a continually moving stream, He flows through us, performing His sanctifying work of transforming us into the image of Christ.

Getting to know the Spirit is a lifelong process. As we walk in obedience to Him, we experience both His quiet guidance through life’s challenges and His power displayed in our weakness. We marvel when He brings to light a passage of Scripture and find solace in His comfort when we’re hurting. His convictions guide us to repentance so we can be cleansed with living water. And His promptings and warnings keep us from heading down the wrong path.

Because the life-giving Spirit dwells within us, no Christian has to live a dry, fruitless life. Of course, if we opt to live as we please and indulge in sin, we’ll quench Him. But the more we learn of Him in Scripture and walk with Him in obedience, the more His life will flow through us.

Bible in One Year: Ezekiel 13-16

And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”

We exist to make a big deal out of God. It is not about self-recognition in this lifetime…or in the life to come. It is about honoring the King of kings and Lord of lords with everything we have to give.

Make each day count! Sing your loudest song and dance like your pants are on fire. We only get one chance to share the love of Christ on this earth. Make yours count!

What talents do you have? Are you a good singer? A good cook? A great auto-mechanic, doctor, plumber, musician? Use these God-given talents to honor the Lord. The blessing that you will receive in return will be far greater than what you give away, I can assure you!

We are called to be servants. If you are looking for a crown in heaven, you need to wash a few feet here on earth before the trumpet sounds. Start helping those around you and share the love of the Lord! You are never more like Jesus than when you assume the role of a servant.
Today's Bible Reading
Old Testament

Job 40:1-42:17

New Testament

2 Corinthians 5:12-21

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalms 45:1-17

Proverbs 22:13

August 31, 2018
Men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed … they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus. When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you”(Luke 5:18-20 NKJV).

The Bible says Jesus saw the faith of the men who were lowering their paralyzed friend through a hole in the roof. He saw that these men were so convinced He would heal, they were willing to risk tearing apart someone’s roof just to get their friend before Him.

One definition of faith is “simply acting like the Bible is true.” What you really believe can be seen in what you do.

True faith always acts in line with what it believes.
True faith never acts contrary to its belief.
True faith is always accompanied by corresponding action.

Many people say they believe the Word of God, but when it comes down to it, their actions reveal they are not completely convinced God’s Word is true. If you are unsure about what you really believe, ask yourself questions about your actions. For instance …

If I really believe God is faithful, why am I walking around in a state of depression?
If I really believe God said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay” (see Romans 12:19), why am I struggling to clear my own name?
If I really believe I am healed, why am I not out of bed and getting ready for work?

Today, take a look at what you are doing and ask yourself, “Why am I doing this?” Your answer will reveal what you really believe. And remember, true faith is simply acting like the Bible is true.

Confession: I believe what the Bible says is true. Regardless of my circumstances, I will act in line with what the Word of God says. I will demonstrate my true faith to God and others by my actions.

Author: Jerry Savelle

John 21:9, 12

Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread… Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.”

Like many parents, Wendy and I pray for our daughter Jessica every night before she sleeps. When Jessica was two years old, we decided to pray that her diapers would not overflow during the night. Her diapers not overflowing might be a small thing, but we knew that it would give our little girl a comfortable sleep every night. And after we started praying for this, we noticed that her diapers did not overflow.

That incident made me realize that our God is not just interested in the big things that affect us. He bothers and cares about the minor things that affect us too. There is nothing too insignificant for Him. So don’t be like some religious people who have this idea that God only wants us to bring the big issues to Him, and that He doesn’t want us to bother Him with small issues.

Nothing could be further from the truth. God cares about everything that you experience, from the small ulcer in your mouth to your concerns about the world’s economy. Even when you tell Him about the inconvenience that might arise if the bus is late, He takes note of that too. In fact, when you come to Him often about anything and everything in your daily life, you compliment Him because you are telling Him that He is your Daddy God who watches over you.

Jesus represented the Father’s heart and will when He was on earth (see John 5:19). He cared when His disciples were out at sea the whole night, cold and shivering. He cared when they caught nothing that night (see John 21:3). He cared that they would not have fish to sell. So He gave them a huge catch early the next morning (see John 21:5–6). He knew that they were cold and hungry, so He prepared breakfast for them, served over a fire of coals to keep them warm.

Jesus showed us that God is our loving heavenly Father who cares about the big and small things that happen every day in our lives. Nothing escapes God’s eyes because He loves you!

Composed and Written by Rev. Oyenike Areogun
The Throne Room Music  (Music Arm of the Sola Areogun Ministries).
All Right Reserved.

The Key to Manifestations by Creflo Dollar

Miracle Healing Crusade | July 28, 2018 | Louisville, Kentucky

Scriptural Truth on the Subject of Spiritual Warfare

The Agony of Wasted Opportunities by Gbile Akanni

August 26, 2018 - Carter Conlon - When The Lord Passes By

I had a beautiful vision this morning of a golden tree all illuminated with light. A river appeared to flow beneath it and out from it. 

The Lord said, “Flowing from this tree are signs, wonders and miracles; ask it what you will.” As I excitedly approached the tree thinking wow this is it. I can ask for all my hopes, dreams, family and healing.

Suddenly I was overcome and heard the Lord. It seems it is impossible to stand before this tree and ask for our own selfish wants and desires, as worthy as they may seem. I felt it was imparting the true heart of an intercessor to me. I began to pray for every person on the face of the earth to have a true revelation of who Jesus Christ really is. That we would plunder the enemies camp and steal back every soul.

That the Lord would send missionaries into all four corners of the world. That there would not be one house undiscovered to the Lord. That holy rain would fall from heaven, and with only one drop to the forehead and people would search for Jesus. I am not sure what the golden tree did to me, but it emptied me of myself. However, you are not in the flesh but in the spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.

But if anyone does not have the spirit of Christ, he does not belong to him (Romans 8:9). In the middle of the street on either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations (Revelation 22:2). We should all long to approach the tree of life, it will teach us in all our ways. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls (Proverbs 11:30). A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but perversion in it crushes the spirit (Proverbs 15:4). Speak life, speak love, and pray for your nation.

Don’t wait for someone else to do it, all power and authority is in your hand through Christ Jesus. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the paradise of God (Revelation 2:7). Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. Woe, unto those outside, the dogs, sorcerers, immoral persons, murderers, idolaters, liars, and all those who practice injustice. Come away from the world, and come to Christ. This is not our home, we are simply passing through....

Tammy Lang Jensen

Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God (Mark 1:14)

Jesus came preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. He said the time was fulfilled; and that the Kingdom of God was near (Mark 1:15). What is the Kingdom of God?

First, the Kingdom of God isn’t a place; it’s the reign of God, where He becomes Lord; where He becomes the Boss, and rules; where He’s in charge, and expresses Himself—His glory and His goodness.

That’s why Jesus said when they tell you “the Kingdom of God is over there,” or “it’s over here,” don’t believe it, because the Kingdom doesn’t come by observation; it’s within you (Luke 17:20-21). God’s plan is to set up His Kingdom in the hearts of men; but it’s a spiritual kingdom.

Recall when Jesus was brought before Pilate, in John 18:36-37; Pilate asked Him some questions to which He responded, “…My Kingdom is not of this world…” (John 18:36). God’s Kingdom isn’t a physical structure, yet Jesus said, “It has come.” Indeed, it has; it’s in your heart. The Gospel of the Kingdom that Jesus preached is, “Hello everybody, God’s Kingdom can be set up now in your hearts; it has arrived! Anyone who believes can now become God’s headquarters and operating centre.” This wasn’t possible in the days of Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Elisha, David, Solomon and the patriarchs of old; but it is in our day.

When Jesus came, He brought the Kingdom in Him. Now that we’ve received Him, we have the Kingdom in our hearts: the peace, the beauty, the glory, grace, and the life of God have been set up in your heart! God is at home in you now. What a life He’s brought to us, and brought us into! What a Gospel!

PRAYER Dear Father, I thank you for the Kingdom of God has been set up in my heart, thus bringing into me, the life of righteousness. I declare that my life is for your glory, and I show forth your virtues, excellence, perfections, and beauty, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

FURTHER STUDY:
Luke 17:20-21; Colossians 1:27; 2 Corinthians 4:6-7

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
1 Corinthians 15:1-34 & Proverbs 5-7

2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
1 Thessalonians 2:1-9 & Jeremiah 17

“Beloved.  Do not weep, My Precious One.  We have a covenant of Oneness.

We have a NEW covenant.  We have a BLOOD covenant, My Child.

I AM the Divine Bridegroom who gave His life and His Blood for His Bride.  You have entered into this Holy Covenant with Me by Grace through faith.

It is not a small thing, Dear One, but the most important act in the history of mankind.  The enemy has attempted to keep this knowledge from the world.

Ahhh, but My Spirit is revealing this hidden Mystery in these last days.  It is no longer hidden from you, My Bride.

The veil has been taken away from your eyes and your heart.  You have entered into a new identity.  The old man has passed away, you are a new creation.

The Two have become One.  NOTHING can separate us.  The Blood of the Lamb runs in your veins now.  You are no longer your own but have been bought with a great Price.

You are flesh of My Flesh.  You are My Beloved and I AM yours.  I AM He who cannot lie, I AM He who cannot be unfaithful.

I AM He who gave everything for you, My Love.  I AM Spirit and you are spirit.  I have set My Seal upon your heart.  I have freed you from the constraints of this world.

Do not fear what the future holds.  My Love is stronger than death.  The world will see that we are Perfectly One and you shall be a testimony of My Faithfulness.

I shall wipe the tears from your eyes and replace them with joy unspeakable and full of Glory.  Forever, I AM your Bridegroom King!”

ONENESS:  The quality or state or fact of being one: as in integrity, wholeness, harmony, sameness, identity, unity, union.

(The Glory of the New Covenant)…. And even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts.  But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the VEIL IS TAKEN AWAY.  Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom,”    2 Corinthians 3:15-17.

Note Paul writes “FOR THIS CAUSE A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE; AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH.  This mystery (in NT something previously hidden, but now made known by God’s Spirit) is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church,”   Ephesians 5:31-32.

“The glory that You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one even as We are ONE, I in them and You in Me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that You sent Me and loved them even as You loved Me,”   John 17:22-23.

“Set me as a seal upon Your heart, as a seal upon Your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave.  Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the Lord,”   Song of Solomon 8:6.



~ Deborah Waldron Fry

Friday August 31st 2018
Memorise: And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. John 2:10

Read: 1st Samuel 16:1-13 (KJV)
1And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.
2 And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the Lord said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the Lord.
3 And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee.
4 And Samuel did that which the Lord spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?
5 And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the Lord: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.
6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord's anointed is before him.
7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.
8 Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the Lord chosen this.
9 Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the Lordchosen this.
10 Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The Lord hath not chosen these.
11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.
12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the Lord said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.
13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

Bible in one year:
Psalm 92-99,
Matthew 27:45-66,

Hymnal:
Sing hymn 6

Message:
I learnt a proverb from my mother which says, “When a child discovers honey, he despises bread.” In other words, when the best comes, the good gives way. I pray that the best will come your way in every facet of life in Jesus’ Name.

Are you looking for a job, spouse or business opportunity, and it seems as if it will never come? Don’t fret – that apparent delay is because the best is yet to come. When the Lord is ready to grant you the best from His storehouse, people will marvel and join you in glorifying Him for the marvellous thing He has done for you.

Today’s bible reading narrates Samuel’s visit to Jesse’s household. All of Jesse’s sons were made to pass before Samuel who was there to anoint a new king. However, to their amazement, all the seven sons that were made to pass before Samuel were rejected by the Lord. Then Samuel asked in frustration, “Are these all your children?” Only then did Jesse remember that there was one of his sons somewhere out there in the field keeping the sheep. After Jesse mentioned him to Samuel, the prophet sent for him to be fetched, saying, “We will not sit down till he come hither” (1st Samuel 16:11). I prophesy to your life today: until the best of the Lord reaches you, it won’t stop on the way. David came, and the Lord commanded Samuel to anoint him. The Bible says the young lad was ruddy, handsome and innocent. One lesson here is that even a great seer can make mistakes if God does not intervene. Samuel would have made the mistakes of anointing the wrong person if he did not listen to God’s voice. At every attempt he made to anoint the wrong person, God restrained him until the best came. Once again, I prophesy into your life: God’s best for your life shall arrive today, and you will know it in Jesus’ Name.

The guest at the marriage feast in Cana of Galilee also experienced what happens when the best comes (John 2:1-10). After tasting the wine that Jesus made from water, the chairman of the ceremony confessed that indeed the best had come (John 2:10). The Bible says he did not even know the Source of the wine. One major lesson here is that whatever comes from the original Source of all things will always be the best. I therefore encourage you to always look unto Jesus for the best in life. He said in John 10:10b:

“I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

There is abundant life in Jesus, and it is from Him alone that you can get the best.

Prayer Point:
Father, You are the Source of all things; please cause me to always experience the best You have for me in every facet of life, in Jesus’ Name.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional Lessons was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical Churches in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.

So too the [Holy] Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer...but the Spirit Himself...pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance.

Romans 8:26, The Amplified Bible

As long as you live on this earth, you’re going to be saddled with a weakness. What is it? The flesh and blood body you live in. It’s a body that’s subject to death. A body that’s subject to the physical world around you.

Your reborn spirit doesn’t want to sin. It wants to be completely obedient to God. But the weakness of the flesh causes you to fall prey to the temptations around you.

Does that mean you’re doomed to a life of failure till Jesus comes and that flesh body is glorified?

No! It means you need to build your spirit up, to strengthen it, until it dominates your flesh. We are told to crucify the flesh. Your spirit man must dominate your body. Praying in the spirit by the Holy Spirit applies spirit to flesh. It causes your spirit to rise up and take charge. Just like using barbells strengthens your arms, praying in other tongues strengthens your spirit. You see, your spirit is more powerful than your flesh, and as you give it outflow, the flesh will simply have to yield to it. Most believers don’t understand that. They’ll be overwhelmed by some sin, and instead of conquering it by the things of God such as praying in the spirit, they’ll simply keep struggling to overcome in natural ways. So they end up failing again and again.

If you’re caught in that cycle, take heart! God hasn’t commanded you to be more spiritual than you can be. He knows your weakness and He’s given you a way to overcome it. He’s given you the ability to pray in tongues—and with your understanding to wield the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. And no matter how badly you’re failing in everything else, you can do these things!

Be warned though, Satan will try to talk you out of it. He knows that once you learn how to bring the flesh in line, he’ll have no foothold left in your life. You’ll shut the door on him and he won’t be able to get in.

Renew your commitment to praying in the spirit today. Make a quality decision to follow the command God gives in Jude 20 and “build yourselves up…on your most holy faith [make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in the Holy Spirit” (The Amplified Bible)!

Scripture Reading:
Romans 8:14-32

The righteous hath hope in his death.
—Proverbs 14:32

We don’t like to talk about death; it’s the forbidden subject of our generation. Yet it’s real for all of us. Sometimes on television I see motion pictures featuring actors who are no longer living. They seem very much alive in the picture, but they are dead. Some of them were my personal friends. Death is real, and when we die, that is a battle we have to fight all alone. Nobody can be with us in that hour, but David said he had found an answer that would take the fear of death away. David said that there is an answer to death, there is a hope beyond death. That hope is centered in the risen Christ. Paul wrote that to be “absent from the body” is to be “present with the Lord.” So the fear of death is removed.

Prayer for the day
Lord Jesus, with complete trust I look toward that day when my soul will be with You for eternity.

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” (Philippians 1:6 NLT).

It takes years for us to grow to adulthood, and it takes a full season for fruit to mature and ripen. The same is true for the fruit of the Spirit. The development of Christlike character cannot be rushed. Spiritual growth, like physical growth, takes time.

Before Christ enters our lives at conversion, he often must allow us to experience problems so that he can get our attention and show us that we’re living a life built on a faulty foundation. In truth, that faulty foundation is what causes many of the problems in our lives.

Jesus demands that we surrender all of our life to him. He doesn’t want a small portion of who you are. It’s like this — when you’re trying to climb out of a river that has a steep bank, you have to get a foothold on something to start the climb. And once you get the foothold, you can climb up the bank and walk all around.

Some of us, when we invited Jesus into our lives, simply gave him a foothold, but we’re resisting his efforts to step fully up onto the bank so he can fully access our lives. Jesus isn’t willing to stand there on that foothold. He wants you to give him all of your life.

You may think you’ve surrendered all of your life to him, but the truth is, you’re still hanging on to some parts of your life. Jesus isn’t upset with you. He simply wants to work with you to help you uncover areas that you still need to surrender to him.

There will be struggles and battles, but the outcome will never be in question. God has promised that “he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6 NIV).

Talk It Over

Describe your pre-conversion experience with the Lord. What did he allow to happen in your life that was meant to help you see your need for him? How did you respond?
What areas of your life have you not yet surrendered to the Lord?